THE opening day of the first-class cricket season at New Road got off to a soggy start today.

Play was abandoned for the day as early as 11am -- the scheduled start time -- in Worcestershire's Frizzell County Championship Division One match against last year's champions Sussex.

Large areas of the outfield were under water, particularly on the ladies' pavilion side of the ground, and with more heavy rain forecast later today, the umpires decided to abandon play.

Huge covers protected the square with members of the ground staff attempting to mop up.